Net neutrality is a central component of modern education. Without it, ISPs could block resources offered by competitors or restrict access from sites with an opposing ideology. It would be an Internet where Frontier or Fios would choose what you can view or read or research or watch or download. . . Or perhaps they'd just slow your connection down if you were on their black-list of sites (AT&T's grandfathered "unlimited" data plan, anyone? They used to text me every month telling me they were slowing me down because I'd used "too much data" on my monthly "unlimited plan."

Politics aside, net neutrality has the largest effect on the lowest earning Americans---those already vulnerable and largely restricted from access to many forms of information based on the price of entry. Let's not make the entire internet another gated community, please!

Without net neutrality, Internet providers could create virtual fast and slow lanes, increasing barriers to access information that opposes their interests. In essence, they could select the info they want you to see and exclude everything else...

Still Unconvinced?

Read these great points made by Moxzilla in an email this morning,

"We've got a fight on our hands if we want to protect our ability to say, watch and make what we want online without interference from corporate interests. {...}

Need a few reminders of how net neutrality makes the Internet better? Here you go:

For concerned Internet users: Net neutrality is fundamental to free speech. Without net neutrality, big companies could censor your voice and make it harder to speak up online. Net neutrality has been called the "First Amendment of the Internet."

For web developers and small business owners: Net neutrality is fundamental to innovation. Without net neutrality, big Internet service providers can choose which services and content load quickly, and which move at a glacial pace. That means the big guys can afford to buy their way in, while the little guys don't stand a chance.

For teachers and students: Net neutrality is fundamental to quality education. Without net neutrality, ISPs could block resources that compete with their own offerings, letting them choose the sources you can use for research, perhaps based on who is willing or able to pay an extra fee.

For people who love cat videos: Net neutrality is fundamental to a healthy Internet. Without net neutrality, ISPs could decide you watched too many cat videos in one day and throttle your Internet speeds leaving you behind on the latest Maru memes."